ROOKIE TIGHT END GREEN IMPRESSING VETS AND MAKING STRIDES AT CAMP

Ladarius Green was the second-fastest tight end at the NFL Combine. He had the longest arms, the second-largest hands and the ideal height at 6 feet 6.

So much raw ability.

It’s all beginning to surface at Chargers training camp.

The rookie from Louisiana-Lafayette is coming along, looking more comfortable in the Chargers offense. On Tuesday, quarterback Philip Rivers called him the player he’s seen make the most progress over the past two weeks.

“He’s got a chance to be a great player,” Rivers said. “I don’t know if there could be a better tight end to learn from, not only (Antonio) Gates, but Randy (McMichael) and all those guys. He’s coming into a really great situation, and he’s embracing it.”

And they’re embracing him.

When the Chargers drafted Green in the fourth round, his first thought was he’d get to learn behind Gates in San Diego. Green said the culture here is as good as he hoped, as many veterans, including Gates, have taken him under their wing.

The root of Green’s progress in camp is easy to spot.

“The one thing that Ladarius is improving is his comfort,” McMichael said. “He’s not thinking. He’s just reacting. I think that’s the biggest improvement I’ve seen from him. He was a little tentative at first because he really wasn’t sure, but now he’s comfortable. ... He’ll tell you he has a lot of work to do, but you can just tell he’s a natural.”

The past two days at practice, that natural ability has taken over.

Second-team quarterback Charlie Whitehurst has found the rookie often, taking advantage of Green’s combination of size and speed that are a mismatch for defenders. There’s a smoothness to Green’s catching ability, locating and capturing the ball over shorter defenders with ease.

With time, Green will become a tougher physical mismatch as he adds bulk to his 240-pound frame.

“Charlie’s a smart guy,” coach Norv Turner said. “Ladarius is a big, fast target, and he’s finding a way to get him the ball.”

If Gates has imparted one lesson on Green, it’s that athleticism won’t be enough.

In the NFL, every tight end is an athlete. Every tight end can make plays.

The eight-time Pro Bowler stresses the position’s particulars, which are what he says separates players in this league.

“He’s starting to coach me up a lot more,” Green said. “He’s very technical in routes, and he’s starting to get me there. I’m trying to learn from him and pick up stuff from him. It’s real good. … There’s a lot more detail than I’m used to.”

When Gates broke into the NFL, veterans helped usher him along.

He hasn’t forgotten it.

“I was in that position at one point where I needed help, so I just try to do as much as I can to help him,” said Gates.

“He’s feeling more comfortable in our offense, more comfortable with our terminology. He’s a spectacular athlete, a guy who can create mismatches in this league,” he said. “I’m excited to see him play in a game and just see what kind of professional athlete he becomes, because I have high expectations for him.”